Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sunak sets out India links in Commons update on Delhi visit

India and the UK have concluded 12 negotiating rounds towards an FTA, which both sides believe will significantly enhance the £36 billion bilateral trade partnership

Sunak sets out India links in Commons update on Delhi visit

THE prime minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (11) told British lawmakers that he had “warm and productive” discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, as he updated parliament on his recent visit to New Delhi for the Indialed G20 summit.

Addressing the House of Commons after his first visit to India as British prime minister, Sunak began by flagging his and his wife Akshata Murty’s Indian connections and financial interests in that country.


In his detailed parliamentary statement, Sunak, 43, went on to highlight his three key aims of the India visit, which included increasing diplomatic pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin over the conflict in Ukraine, climate action and strengthening ties with India.

“I held warm and productive discussions with prime minister Modi on strengthening our relationship in defence, technology and a free trade deal between our nations,” Sunak said.

India and the UK have concluded 12 negotiating rounds towards an FTA, which both sides believe will significantly enhance the £36 billion bilateral trade partnership. While in India, Sunak told reporters that things weren’t quite agreed on the pact but that he “won’t rush things”.

“For the record, let me declare that as is a matter of public record, I and my family are of Indian origin. My wife and her family are Indian citizens with financial interests in India,” Sunak told the Commons, with reference to Murty’s shares in Infosys – the software major co-founded by her father, Narayana Murthy.

Sunak pointed out that even as most G20 leaders came together in New Delhi in a spirit of cooperation, one leader was missing from the summit.

“Putin has lacked the courage to face his G20 peers day after day. His actions cause horrendous suffering in Ukraine, violating the UN Charter, threatening European security and disrupting global energy supplies… Leaders united in calling out the human suffering caused by Putin’s war,” he said.

More For You

Starmer home

Police officers stand outside Starmer's private home, after it was damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack in north London, on May 13.

Reuters

Police arrest 21-year-old over fire at Starmer’s private residence

POLICE have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of arson after fires were reported at three locations, including prime minister Keir Starmer’s private home in north London.

Officers were called in the early hours of Monday to a fire at a property in Kentish Town, which Starmer represents in parliament. No injuries were reported, but the entrance of the property was damaged.

Keep ReadingShow less
David-Lammy-Getty

Foreign secretary David Lammy said he hoped the ceasefire would be sustained and called for dialogue between the two sides. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

David Lammy urges India, Pakistan to sustain ceasefire

The UK on Saturday (10) welcomed the ceasefire agreedbetween India and Pakistan and urged both countries to continue steps towards de-escalation.

Foreign secretary David Lammy said he hoped the ceasefire would be sustained and called for dialogue between the two sides.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi  speech

'If another terrorist attack against India is carried out, a strong response will be given,' Modi said.

Reuters

Modi warns of strong response to any future terrorist attack

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi on Monday said India would respond strongly to any future terrorist attack and would not tolerate "nuclear blackmail" in case of further conflict with Pakistan.

His remarks came after a weekend ceasefire appeared to be holding following four days of heavy fighting between the two sides. US president Donald Trump, who said he brokered the ceasefire, claimed on Monday that US intervention had prevented a "bad nuclear war".

Keep ReadingShow less
UK legal immigration

Among those who favoured reductions, 49 per cent prioritised reducing irregular arrivals such as small boat crossings, while only 4 per cent wanted fewer work or student visas.

iStock

Most Britons back immigration for work and study, new poll finds

A MAJORITY of people in Britain support immigration for work and study, according to a new survey published on May 11, ahead of the government's expected Immigration White Paper.

The poll, conducted by Focaldata for British Future, found that most respondents would not reduce immigration for doctors (77 per cent), care home workers (71 per cent), engineers (65 per cent), fruit pickers (70 per cent), catering staff (63 per cent) or lorry drivers (63 per cent). Two-thirds (65 per cent) also said they would not reduce the number of international students.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-speech-Reuters

Although he did not give a specific target, Starmer said migration would fall sharply under his government’s new plan. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Starmer pledges sharp fall in net migration by 2029

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Monday said net migration to Britain would drop significantly by the end of this parliament in 2029, promising greater control to support social cohesion and boost local workforce investment.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer said countries need rules to define rights, responsibilities and obligations, and warned that without them, Britain risked "becoming an island of strangers".

Keep ReadingShow less